DELTA READY FOR HEADMASTERS’, PRINCIPALS’ CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS

All is now set for the 2020/2021 editions of the Zenith Bank Headmasters’ and Principals’ Cup Football competitions billed to hold in Asaba 

At a press briefing on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Primary Education, Honourable Chika Ossai, announced that the Headmasters’ Cup Football competition would kick off on Thursday, 30th September, while the Principals’ Cup version would come up on Thursday, 7th October, 2021.

Chika Ossai, who briefed on behalf of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said both competitions were aimed promoting all round development of children through schools sports, as recommended by the 2016 Delta State Education Summit.

He explained that the Headmasters’ Cup Football competition, the third in the series of tournaments to promote the game of football at the primary school level, started in the 2017/2018 academic session, while the second edition held in the 2018/2019 session.

The Primary Education Commissioner stated that the two editions, which were solely sponsored by the state government, were largely successful, pointing out that the competition had witnessed increased participation over time, making the impact attractive, hence the sponsorship offered by Zenith Bank for the 2020/2021 edition.

Chika Ossai added tht the Zenith Bank Delta State Principals’ Cup competition had become historically significant with its 5th edition holding this year, with an increase in the number of participating schools from 400 at inception in he 2017/2018 session, to about 700 in the 2019/2020 edition.

He said participation by schools, at the primary and secondary levels, was expected to further increase, disclosing that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure that every primary and secondary school in the state participated in the competition.

While saying that the two competitions were meant to improve on their past editions, the Commissioner revealed that the cash reward for winning teams at the local government levels introduced in the last edition would be sustained, while efforts would be made to provide s ‘Sports Clinic’ for talented players to be discovered during the tournament.

Chika Ossai stated that 377 public and private primary schools had registered for the Headmasters’ Cup competition, while over 300 public and private secondary schools had registered for the Principals’ Cup.

Both competitions, according to him, would run through the preliminary, zonal elimination, quarter final and semi final stages, culminating in the finals, which would hold on 11th November and 25th November, 2021.

He acknowledged the support of the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for the revival of schools sports in the state, and commended Mr Chiedu Ebie and Chief Patrick Ukah, who were formers Commissioners for Basic and Secondary Education, for laying the foundation of Zenith Bank’s partnership in the competition.

Chika Ossai also applauded Zenith Bank for identifying with the state government in promoting schools sports in the state, and Tony Pemu’s Hideaplus for its role in getting Zenith Bank to sponsor the Principals’ Cup competition.